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Overall the Australian Shepherd is a healthy breed. Like all breeds however there are certain medical issues that crop up more frequently with Australian Shepherds. While many of these are hereditary and can be minimized through proper breeding practices and buying your Aussie from a qualified breeder, others with pathogenic or nutritional causes can be helped with awareness and advice from your veterinarian.

Christian Müller / stock.adobe.com

Below you will find Australian Shepherd health care articles covering puppy and dog health problems of all kinds including dog diseases, warning signs and symptoms, and medical issues common in Aussies.

If you don't find what you are looking for please contact us and let us know if there is a topic related to dog or puppy health that we need to include. Thank you. ~Anton

Ivermectin WARNING

Australian Shepherds can have drug sensitivities as they frequently have a mutation of the MDR1 (Multi Drug Resistance 1) gene. This commonly causes toxicity from ivermectin (and many other drugs) an ingredient found in heartworm medications. It is always advisable to consult with your veterinarian before giving your Aussie any medications. Even over-the-counter medications can be toxic due to this increased sensitivity.

Australian Shepherd Health Tips

You will want to keep items on hand to maintain your
dogs health to prevent problems from developing. For
example there are excellent products available to maintain healthy coat
and skin, gums
and teeth, ears, eyes, urinary
tract and anal
glands to name a few.

You are what you eat and so is your Aussie. Dogs can suffer from
the same problems that arise from poor nutrition as we do. Cardiovascular
and nervous system degeneration, obesity and diabetes affect dogs
too. To ensure proper nutrition you should provide high
quality supplements.

Research the food you are giving your Aussie. They are high energy
dogs and need high quality food to ensure excellent condition.

The best thing you can do to ensure the well-being of your dog
is to buy a healthy dog. That sounds ridiculously simple but is
too often overlooked when the decision is made about where to
get an Aussie. The goal of good breeders is to improve and maintain
the quality and health of the breed and eliminate hereditary
diseases inherent to Australian Shepherds.

Maureen Kavanagh

Revel truly has the biggest smile when you get her picture on a sunny day. She spends her fun time doing hikes, agility, and sneaking on to the couch and bed when nobody is paying attention!

Don't overlook this vital first step. It may
cost a bit more to get a healthy dog from a breeder but weighed
against the lifelong vet bills and poorer quality of life for
your pet it is just not worth it in the long run.

Preventing problems is always the best way to deal with diseases.
Make sure you visit with your vet and have all vaccinations up
to date. Don't risk unnecessary suffering and costs that can arise
by neglecting to take the threat of viruses,
bacteria, worms and parasites seriously. Again, taking your vets advise about preventative measures
to avoid these problems will likely save you lots of money, and
your Aussie plenty of misery, in the long run.

All the preventative measures in the world are sometimes not
enough. Accidents happen and you will save yourself a lot of stress
by being prepared. Pet health insurance for your Aussie can really be a life-saver (and wallet-saver)
when unexpected vet bills come in.

Have a basic first aid kit handy. If you don't already have one
I recommend getting one as soon as possible. Taking a first aid
course and having a kit is just a good idea anyway.

Do you know the phone number to your vet or emergency veterinary
clinic? Do you know the route to get there quickly? A good idea
is to have these numbers posted in a handy location like the inside
of a cupboad door or on the fridge so you know exactly where they
are and don't have to search for them when you are faced with
an emergency.

With prevention, knowledge and preparedness you should be able
to completely aviod or effectively deal with any health issues
that arise with your Australian Shepherd. There are also many natural and safe herbal remedies for pets that can help prevent
and address health many common problems.

I wish you and your Aussie a long life of health and happiness.

Other Resources:

Dog
First Aid 101
Provides the information for you to save your dog's life. Learn
dog first aid so you know how to prevent injuries, illnesses and
poisonings, and how to prepare for any that do occur.

The
Dog Health Guide
The dog health guide offers simple and practical advice for many
common canine symptoms and illnesses. It is written by dog lovers
who understand that while there is no substitute for a Veterinarian,
there are often simple things that can be done to help.

Do you know the difference between Exercise Induced Collapse and Border Collie Collapse, which can also affect Aussies?

Disclosure: If you make a purchase via a link on this site, I may receive a small commission, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See the Disclosure page for more information. Thank you!

Disclosure: If you make a purchase via a link on this site, I may receive a small commission, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See the Disclosure page for more information. Thank you!